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Reading Comprehension - Modern Art Concepts

CAT 2008 Slot 1 · Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension · Medium · Reading Comprehension

This is a medium Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension question set from the CAT 2008 Slot 1 paper. It tests Reading Comprehension. The full answer key and a step-by-step explanation are below — try it yourself first, then reveal the solution.

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Passage / data set

A remarkable aspect of art of the present century is the range of concepts and ideologies which it embodies... [Passage discussing evolution of modern art, comparison with science, and T.S. Eliot's view on past influences].

Question 1 of 5

Many of the concepts of modern art have been the product of

  1. A.

    ideas generated from planned deliberations between artists, painters and thinkers.

  2. B.

    the dissemination of ideas through the state and its organizations.

  3. C.

    accidental interactions among people blessed with creative muse.

  4. D.

    patronage by the rich and powerful that supported art.

  5. E.

    systematic investigation, codification and conventions.

Answer

C

Explanation

The passage notes concepts resulted from 'almost accidental meetings of groups of talented individuals'.

Question 2 of 5

In the passage, the word 'fossil' can be interpreted as

  1. A.

    an art movement that has ceased to remain interesting or useful.

  2. B.

    an analogy from the physical world to indicate a historic art movement.

  3. C.

    an analogy from the physical world to indicate the barrenness of artistic creations in the past.

  4. D.

    an embedded codification of pre-historic life.

  5. E.

    an analogy from the physical world to indicate the passing of an era associated with an art movement.

Answer

E

Explanation

Fossil signifies a past art movement that has ceased to be a living organism but retains structural value for study.

Question 3 of 5

In the passage, which of the following similarities between science and art may lead to erroneous conclusions?

  1. A.

    Both, in general, include a gamut of distinct but interconnecting activities.

  2. B.

    Both have movements not necessarily concerned with innovation.

  3. C.

    Both depend on collaborations between talented individuals.

  4. D.

    Both involve abstract thought and dissemination of ideas.

  5. E.

    Both reflect complex priorities of the modern world.

Answer

A

Explanation

The first paragraph states that seeing parallelism between science and art based on covering a range of interconnecting activities is misleading.

Question 4 of 5

The range of concepts and ideologies embodied in the art of the twentieth century is explained by

  1. A.

    the existence of movements such as surrealism.

  2. B.

    landmarks which give a pattern to the art history of the twentieth century.

  3. C.

    new language tools which can be used for further explorations into new areas.

  4. D.

    the fast changing world of perceptual and transcendental understanding.

  5. E.

    the quick exchange of ideas and concepts enabled by efficient technology.

Answer

D

Explanation

The passage states concepts resulted from exposures of artists to the rapidly changing world of visual and spiritual experience.

Question 5 of 5

The passage uses an observation by T.S. Eliot to imply that

  1. A.

    creative processes are not 'original' because they always borrow from the past.

  2. B.

    we always carry forward the legacy of the past.

  3. C.

    past behaviours and thought processes recreate themselves in the present and get labeled as 'original' or 'creative'.

  4. D.

    'originality' can only thrive in a 'greenhouse' insulated from the past biases.

  5. E.

    'innovations' and 'original thinking' interpret and develop on past thoughts to suit contemporary needs.

Answer

E

Explanation

T.S. Eliot noted that original people translate and develop inherited past patterns to conform to present needs.

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